"My daughter is, I hope, sensible, Comtesse." "Give yourself no uneasiness, my old friend," said Madame de Chantonnay, heartily.

"She is charming." Madame sat back in her chair and fanned herself thoughtfully.

It was the fashion of that day to carry a fan and wield it with grace and effect.
To fan oneself did not mean that the heat was oppressive, any more than the use of incorrect English signifies to-day ill-breeding or a lack of education.

Both are an indication of a laudable desire to be unmistakably in the movement of one's day.
Over her fan Madame cast a sidelong glance at the Marquis, whom she, like many of his friends, suspected of being much less simple and spontaneous than he appeared.
"Then they are not formally affianced ?" she suggested.
"Mon Dieu! no.

I clearly indicated that there were other things to be thought of at the present time.